Hi Newly Diagnosed

Hi Lynn and welcome to the forum, I have only been diagnosed myself as type 2 for six weeks. In this short time I have found the forum to be a very supportive environment, and full of information.

Everyone is friendly, and remember, you are not alone and there is no such thing as a daft question.

Regards

Mart

I have felt unwell the last six weeks feeling run down tearful with flu type symptoms, Apparently this is quite normal when you reduce you sugar intake. I just hope that when my body has got used to a lower sugar intake I will start to feel better...

Mart

Mart, My name is Andy, diagnosed Type 2 in early August of this year. It does get better, though, even now, I am still trying to get My sugar levels down from just over 11%.

Don't get fixated on sugar guys and gals, you will find loads of fantastic info on here , one of the most important being the role of carbs , tagged @daisy1 who will give lots of great info....

And welcome

@lynn007

Hello Lynn and welcome to the forum Here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful, especially with regard to diet and carbs. Ask questions when you need to and someone will be able to help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you’ll find over 150,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes-and-whole-grains.html

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to bloodglucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Hi All,
I'm Keith from Leamington Spa, only diagnosed last week with type 2 diabetes so it's all new to me.
My optician found it during a routine test...... So a big thank you to him.
My doctor has been fantastic by spending a lot of time with me explaining everything and getting me an appointment with the diabetic nurse at our practice, she was also brilliant.
I guess I have a lot to learn...... But learn it I will.

It's worthwhile reading a few accounts from other people who were diagnosed with T2, and tackled it with drastic reductions in carb intake. It's massively effective - as close as possible to a Guaranteed Solution that you'll get. And its unlikely the health professionals you consult will recommend it, so be careful.

Hi

I'm Brian from Grimsby, I'm 58 years old and got diagnosed with type 2 yesterday, I am about to take my first Metformin this morning, having read some of the experiences people have had I'm really not looking forward to it. My feelings at the moment are all over the place, I'm angry and scared. I like many of you have a lot to learn, but learn I will.

Hi Lynn, I agree with Mart. I joined over a fortnight ago and have learned a lot and felt supported. Any question gets answered. You're nowhere near alone. Its all about being in control of your diet and keeping levels as close to where you want them as possible and this site will help you do that. My levels are certainly better now. Its just another chapter, pal - that's all. Oh and....this not eating after 6pm etc....to hell with that. look at the diet stuff on here. I'm on a low carb diet which is great and Im feeling good. We all differ, but explore low carbs and think about writing down what you eat and when..and if you have a meter..which you hopefully have, test before and two hours after. That puts you in control much more. If you want to ask me anything at all about anything at all..please do. I can at least give my opinion or my short experience.

lynn007 said:

Hi I was diagnosed with Type 2 just over a week ago. I been feeling ill for a long time I now started on Metformin first few days I felt really ill but now after I take that first tablet in the morning I start to feel normal again. I really look forward to that tablet I don't feel 100% but hope to get there. Trying to eat better foods and not eat after 6 in evening(hard) missing chocolate lol but has to be done. I hope to gain some knowledge being here and thanks to admin for accepting me.

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Why are you not eating after 6 ????

lynn007 said:

Hi I was diagnosed with Type 2 just over a week ago. I been feeling ill for a long time I now started on Metformin first few days I felt really ill but now after I take that first tablet in the morning I start to feel normal again. I really look forward to that tablet I don't feel 100% but hope to get there. Trying to eat better foods and not eat after 6 in evening(hard) missing chocolate lol but has to be done. I hope to gain some knowledge being here and thanks to admin for accepting me.

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Brytommo said:

Hi

I'm Brian from Grimsby, I'm 58 years old and got diagnosed with type 2 yesterday, I am about to take my first Metformin this morning, having read some of the experiences people have had I'm really not looking forward to it. My feelings at the moment are all over the place, I'm angry and scared. I like many of you have a lot to learn, but learn I will.

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Brian mate, don't be so freaked out..there's a hell of a lot of us type 2s, and it's not all grim. Yeah you have a lot to learn, but you'll learn fast and this site/community is really helpful. I've been a member for 2 weeks and I've massively improved my understanding. You will too. anger gets you nowhere, Brian - of course, you're angry but what you gotta be now is positive and informed (not by horror stories but by day to day realities), and don't be scared....being in control is what will get rid of that. You need to know what your levels are (have you got a meter?), and then seriously consider a low carb diet.. as a result of starting that a couple of weeks ago my levels have reduced dramatically and I feel fine...and I plan on staying in control and feeling fine for the rest of my life and I'm aiming to reverse it! Take care.

lynn007 said:

Hi pleinster,
I don't have a meter the nurse said I don't need one on Metformn but my cousin said I should have 1 because she had 1 and still has. Does anyone have a machine on Metformin and also I feel sick and dizzy a lot do anyone else feel like that?

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I am Type 2, and on Metformin. I have a meter and test and test, could not manage my diet without it. There are some real surprises. The Diabetic Nurse was certain that porridge for breakfast would not cause a problem, my meter showed me just how high it spiked my BG. Initially it seems as though there is just about nothing nice to eat, but search for recipes and experiment. I made low carb blackberry cheesecake this week - that is delicious! Your cousin may well be able to help you. You can buy yourself a fairly inexpensive meter - look for one that does low price testing strips as you will be needing a regular supply of those.

I have heard that some doctors do not want people on Metformin to self test, but going by users reports...well..there's strong disagreement. I'm not on that drug but when I told my doctor I was testing up to 8 times a day, he said that was too much...but I disagree as it's the only way to be sure of what food had what impact...so..I told him I disagreed...it's my body...and that's how it is. I see no evidence anywhere that it is harmful..so that's just nonsense...and I think mainly doctors take a kind of party line on it..and think we may get all negative and stressed by readings...but..do they have diabetes? Were else are we going to get the personal specific info we need to be in control? Anyway...I only share that coz its been said and you need to make decision that are informed as much as possible. I made mine by coming off meds and going on low carbs and my readings right now cheer me up if anything. Today, seven out of seven readings at key times were below 8.0 and mainly around 6.5 (which for me is progress). But..I'm thinkin maybe that's why you weren't given a meter. I see there's some freebies you can apply for on this site. Place the question "Where can I get a meter and strips?" or see if it's already bee asked. Any question, post it. good luck

Hi I'm new to this only got diagnosed with type 2 last Tuesday, I'm on metformin 500mg 1 tablet twice a day for a week then 1 tablet 3 times a day. Does anyone else sweat really badly? Is due to the diabetes? Got my first appointment on Monday with diabetic nurse...️